This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Read our cookie policy

BSc (Hons)

Biology

Explore biology in its widest sense with a degree that combines hands-on learning through lab work and field trips with theory.

How to apply Apply Through UCAS Book an Open Day Chat to Us

Key Course Details

  • UCAS Code

    C100

  • Start Date

    September

  • Location

    Pontypridd

  • Campus Code

    A

Fees

  • Home students

    £9,535*

  • International students

    £16,200*

  • Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits.

  • UCAS Code

    C104

  • Start Date

    September

  • Location

    Pontypridd

  • Campus Code

    A

Fees

  • Home students

    £9,535*

  • International students

    £16,200*

  • Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits.

Explore this foundational science in-depth, discovering the evolutionary, physiological, molecular, and ecological processes driving all life on Earth. Combining outstanding field work opportunities with cutting-edge facilities, you’ll go broad, then choose to specialise in this well-rounded degree.

DESIGNED FOR

Choose BSc (Hons) Biology for a holistic approach to the field of biology combining theory and practice. A broad biology course gives you the opportunity to fully explore the subject, find your passion, and opens opportunities for a range of possible careers.

Accredited By

  • Royal Society of Biology

Career Paths

  • MSc/PhD researcher
  • Environmental consultant
  • Laboratory analyst
  • Science teacher

Skills Taught

  • Critical analysis and problem solving
  • Scientific communication
  • Project management 
  • Inclusivity and teamwork

We make a difference in practice, not just on paper. Our courses are designed by people who offer jobs - and taught by people who have real work experience.

A video thumbnail showing a student using a petri dish with the text
A video thumbnail for video 'Ecology fieldwork at USW'. Students are surveying on a rocky beach
An academic wearing a red top and a grey cardigan holds up a model of a Neanderthal skull from a USW workshop at the Glyntaff campus while surrounded by anatomy figures and models
Skeletons of small mammals, including a primate and a cat, on stands with more in glass tanks behind such as a bat and a fox at a biology workshop at the Glyntaff campus
A biology academic researcher talks to colleagues while using a camera at USW's Glyntaff campus to survey wildlife with a pink tree in the background
A scuba diver makes notes under water while studying a coral reef which is surrounded by a measuring tape

Course Highlights

Royal Society of Biology Accredited Course

Accreditation signals a well-rounded course creating highly employable graduates.

Ideally Located

Easy access to fieldwork opportunities; various terrestrial, freshwater, and marine environments.

Excellent Student Support

Benefit from small class sizes, active Disability and Dyslexia Services and a personal academic coach.

Research Active Teaching Staff

Learn from research-active scholars, ensuring methods and curriculum are relevant to wider context.

Module Overview

Our BSc (Hons) Biology curriculum emphasises connectivity of life across all levels of biological complexity. The course fosters intellectual curiosity, academic integrity, and critical thinking, and will prepare you well for progression into graduate employment or further study.

Year One
Skills and Professional Development 1*
Genetics and Evolution  
Diversity of Cellular Life  
Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry  
Biodiversity  
Principles of Ecology 

Year Two
Skills and Professional Development 2*
Evolutionary Biology Seminar         
Human Molecular Genetics   
Comparative Vertebrate Zoology 
Behavioural Ecology 
Applied Tropical Conservation  
The Invisible World 
Professional Practice and Placement 

Year Three
Research Project and Career Development* 
Humans and Other Primates 
Human Variation 
Global Health Challenges  
Global Ecological Challenges 
Aquatic Biology 
Functional Ecology 
Regenerative Medicine  

*These modules can be studied 100% through the medium of Welsh

Year One lays the foundation for further study. A “Key Skills” module provides a background in scientific research, while all other modules begin your journey across various levels of biological complexity.

Skills and Professional Development 1* 
An introduction to scientific reading and writing skills, referencing, critical analysis of published work, and statistical principles.

Genetics and Evolution  
Study principles of genetics and evolutionary theory. Understand molecular genetics, including structure and organisation of DNA and DNA replication, and factors driving evolution. 

Diversity of Cellular Life  
Explore how different cellular components in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms contribute to function. Learn basic microbiology lab techniques. 

*This module can be studied 100% through the medium of Welsh

Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry  
Get to grips with organisational structures and functions of the human body and biochemical principles underlying chemical processes in biological systems. 

Biodiversity  
Learn the principles and methodologies of taxonomy and classification of living organisms. Apply theory to field and lab work, developing your practical skills.

Principles of Ecology 
Study ecological theory; through lecture, field and practical lab work, identify and critically evaluate ecological hierarchy, processes, cycles and successions.

Year Two advances concepts introduced in Year One and provides more opportunity for applying your knowledge. Students have a choice of modules to allow for either a field or laboratory emphasis in Year Two.

Skills and Professional Development 2* 
Build your competency in data acquisition, manipulation and science communication using statistical analysis, bioinformatics, cartography and spatial analysis.

Evolutionary Biology Seminar         
Explore the history, development and controversies within evolutionary theory. This module is student-driven and discursive, allowing you to engage deeply.

Human Molecular Genetics  
Cover molecular genetics and genetic basis of inherited disorders. Learn theoretical and practical applications of key molecular biology techniques and their use. 

Comparative Vertebrate Zoology 
Combining Earth history with anatomical form and physiological function, you’ll study the evolution of the vertebrate classes and their comparative lifestyles.

*This module can be studied 100% through the medium of Welsh

Behavioural Ecology 
Develop a grounding in behavioural ecology and use theoretical frameworks to understand the interaction between behaviour, ecology and evolution.

Applied Tropical Conservation  
On an international residential trip, combine theory, case studies and fieldwork in tropical landscapes to explore ecology and conservation. (Optional. Additional cost).

The Invisible World 
Gain technical lab experience in a range of microscopy techniques for analysing biological and geological materials, considering factors affecting sample preservation and quality.

Professional Practice and Placement 
An optional opportunity to work with an employer or on a simulated employer placement. You could be offered a placement or arrange one yourself. 

Follow your own interests with a self-directed dissertation, investigating a subject you’re intrigued by. In this final year, you can choose from a range of optional modules depending on what you enjoy and your career plans.

Research Project and Career Development* 
Culminating in presenting at a conference, learn project planning, research and professional skills through your research project.

Humans and Other Primates 
Consider what it is to be human; critically analyse conflicting theories in palaeoanthropology, behavioural ecology, and evolutionary theory.

Human Variation 
Study human biological variation inc. evolutionary foundations. Cover historical views including “race” science and biological determinism, contrasting with contemporary approaches. 

Global Health Challenges  
Explore inequality’s impact on health and wellbeing. Biological, environmental, economic, and political factors as drivers of public health inequality. 

*This module can be studied 100% through the medium of Welsh

Global Ecological Challenges 
Apply your scientific knowledge and skills to the interpretation of ecological responses to anthropogenic impacts, including climate change, land and sea use change.

Aquatic Biology 
Build detailed knowledge of aquatic ecosystems, their ecological systems and processes, the physiology and behaviour of their plants and animals that inhabit them.

Functional Ecology 
Combining evolutionary biology, genetics, evolutionary and traditional ecology, consider animal and plant strategies for acquiring resources, growing, surviving, and reproducing.

Regenerative Medicine  
Apply genetic and tissue engineering approaches for medical application and drug discovery and learn how novel approaches to diagnosis and treatment can manage human diseases. 

Course Highlights

How you’ll learn

You’ll learn through group activities, lectures, laboratory sessions, tutorials, directed learning, online activities, and both UK and overseas field trips. The number of contact hours per week will vary, but on average you can expect 10-12 contact hours a week. You will also need to spend a significant amount of time each week on preparation for classes, background reading, revision, or working on assignments.

In your second year, there’s an optional overseas field trip, Applied Tropical Conservation, which gives students the opportunity to learn to scuba dive and develop their knowledge of terrestrial and marine tropical ecosystems.

Teaching staff

We are an active research team, contributing to two main research themes: Genetic and Molecular Research and Wildlife Ecology. Not only do researchers bring their knowledge and passion into their classroom teaching, but students have the opportunity to work on real, current problems with active research scientists in their final year project. 

Our lecturers are subject experts, who teach in their specialist area across a number of modules and courses. We organise the Biology Speakers Series, bringing a variety of external speakers to highlight the breadth of possible career pathways.

Placements and work experience

You’ll have the opportunity to take part in an optional Professional Practice and Placement module, providing you with either work experience with an employer or on a simulated employer placement. You can either work at an organisation in their place of work or do a simulated placement by working on a live project or brief online.

We will support you with looking for placement opportunities, but you’ll also need to put time and energy into finding them. This process is supported by our professional services team.

Facilities

Our George Knox laboratories are part of a £15m investment, meaning you will be taught in new and well-equipped spaces. You will benefit from several well-equipped laboratories and rooms for practical and project work, including: 

  • Microbiology laboratory capable of handling pathogens (category 2) 
  • Molecular biology laboratory for DNA isolation and analysis 
  • Projection microscopes in the microbiology and microscopy laboratories for group teaching 
  • General biology laboratories for teaching, including a range of skeletons for vertebrate zoology 
  • Computer rooms with specialist GIS software to support your learning  
Accredited by

Why USW?

A group of international wildlife students crouch in long grass while looking through binoculars into the distance while on a field trip in South Africa

Why USW?

Biology

at USW is top in Wales for Student Satisfaction. (National Student Survey 2024)

Careers and Employability

Graduate careers

There are many career options for Biology graduates because you’ll have developed the skills needed to tackle some of society’s most pressing challenges. After graduating from this course, you’ll be well-suited for work in policy (government or non-profits), in industry (biotechnology or pharmaceuticals), health care, education, ecology, and conservation.  

Many of our graduates take up roles in consultancy, but they have also secured jobs in the NHS, the energy industry, defence, and are in high demand as science teachers after completing a PGCE.

Careers Support

You’ll have access to advice from the Careers and Employability Service throughout your studies and after you graduate. This includes one-to-one appointments from a faculty-based career adviser and extensive online resources for help with considering career options and presenting yourself well to employers. Resources include psychometric tests, career assessments, a CV builder, interview simulator and application help. Our employer database has over 2,000 registered employers targeting USW students and students can receive weekly job email alerts.

Industry Partners

We have partnerships with Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, Woodland Trust, and Operation Wallacea, giving you lots of opportunities to relate your studies to real world challenges and the potential for work placements. 

Learn more about sandwich years

Sandwich years

A sandwich year enables you to apply the knowledge gained during your degree to real-world work situations. You’ll equip yourself with a transferable skillset and gain invaluable work experience that will help you to stand out to potential employers in future job applications. A sandwich year also provides a fantastic opportunity to network and, if you impress your employer, you may even find you have a job waiting for you when you graduate. Many employers like to take on dedicated employees as showcased via a sandwich year placement scheme.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

UCAS points: 96 (or above)

Typical qualification requirements:

  • A Level: CCC to include Biology but to exclude General Studies 
  • Welsh BACC: Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales Grade C and CC at A Level to include Biology but to exclude General Studies 
  • Science Requirement: Applicants taking Science A levels in England will need to pass the practical element alongside achieving the requested grade(s)
  • BTEC: BTEC Extended Diploma Merit Merit Merit in a relevant subject which must include Biology modules
  • Access to HE: Pass an Access to HE Diploma in Science and obtain a minimum of 96 UCAS tariff points.
  • T Level: P

 

Additional requirements include:

The University normally requires a minimum 5 GCSEs including Mathematics and English at Grade C/Grade 4 or above, or their equivalent but consideration is given to individual circumstances

International applications welcomed:

We welcome international applications with equivalent qualifications of our entry requirements. For more details related to your country of residence, please view our dedicated country pages.

English language requirements

International applicants will need to have achieved an overall of IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component/TOEFL 72 overall and a minimum of 18 in reading, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing or equivalent.

Equivalents can be located on our English Language pages.

If you have previously studied through the medium of English, IELTS might not be required, please visit our country specific page for further details. If your country is not featured, please contact us.

If you do not meet the English entry criteria, please visit our Pre-Sessional course pages.

Contextual offers

We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (where you live and the school or college that you attended, for example), your experiences and individual circumstances (as a care leaver, for example). This is referred to as a contextual offer, and we receive data from UCAS to support us in making these decisions.

USW prides itself on its student experience and we support our students to achieve their goals and become a successful graduate. This approach helps us to support students who have the potential to succeed and who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university.

 

We're here to help

Whether you a have a question about your course, fees and funding, the application process or anything else, there are plenty of ways you can get in touch, and we'd love to talk to you. You can contact our friendly admissions team by phone, email or chat to us online.

 

Fees and Funding

UK Full-time Fee

£9,535

per year*
International Full-time Fee

£16,200

per year*
International Full-time Fee

£16,200

per year*

Further Information

Studying at university is one of the most significant investments you'll ever make. Whilst you’re studying, you’ll have two main financial obligations – tuition fees and living costs. There’s lots of financial help available from the University of South Wales and external funding sources, that may provide loans (which have to be paid back) and grants, scholarships and bursaries (that don't).

*Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee is anticipated to remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course except as described below.

Please be aware that we may increase the maximum fee for home students on full-time undergraduate courses only where the Welsh Government increases the permitted level of inflation of fees. Fees for all students (including part-time, postgraduate and international students) may be amended in accordance with our applicable Fees and Debt Management Policy.  We will ensure that students are given clear, intelligible, unambiguous and timely information about our courses and costs in good time, ahead of the next academic year.

 

Fees and Funding Scholarships and Bursaries Cost of Living Support

Additional Costs

As a student of USW, you’ll have access to lots of free resources to support your study and learning, such as textbooks, publications, online journals, laptops, and plenty of remote-access resources. Whilst in most cases these resources are more than sufficient in supporting you with completing your course, additional costs, both obligatory and optional, may be required or requested for the likes of travel, memberships, experience days, stationery, printing, or equipment.  

*Obligatory

Airfare for residential field course associated with the optional module “Applied Tropical Conservation”. This cost is an estimate, as it varies by destination and booking date

Cost: £1300 

International, residential field course associated with the optional module “Applied Tropical Conservation”.

Cost: £1500

Diver training course associated with the optional module “Applied Tropical Conservation”.

Cost: £350 

Students who successfully secure a placement in industry to complete their project would be expected to pay their own travel costs to and from the venue during the period of placement. The cost of this will of course vary and some students have also paid for accommodation close to their place of work for the duration of their placement.

Cost: Variable

Please note that students who successfully secure a placement in industry or abroad to complete their projects would be expected to pay their own travelling costs to and from the venue during the period of placement. The cost of this will of course vary and some students have also paid for accommodation close to their place of work for the duration of their placement.

Cost: Variable

University Quality Assurance

At USW, we regularly review our courses in response to changing patterns of employment and skills demand to ensure we offer learning designed to reflect today’s student needs and tomorrow’s employer demands.

If during a review process course content is significantly changed, we’ll write to inform you and talk you through the changes for the coming year. But whatever the outcome, we aim to equip our students with the skillset and the mindset to succeed whatever tomorrow may bring. Your future, future-proofed.

Life at USW

Halls are a big part of your student experience and there’s accommodation at all three of our locations. If you don’t want to live near the campus, there are great transport links to keep you connected.

A student sat smiling and talking to friends off camera in Treforest Student's Union
Student Life
Close up shot of the front of the Alfred Russell wallace building.
Pontypridd Campus, Glyntaff
A double room at our Pontypridd accommodation featuring a large window.
Accommodation

How to apply

All applications for full-time undergraduate courses or foundation degrees should be made via UCAS. Take the next step: Apply through UCAS. You can apply to us directly for all part-time undergraduate courses, if you’re seeking advanced entry or you’re an international student. To apply directly, please choose the application form below for your preferred start date and mode of study (full-time or part-time.)

Advanced entry

If you already have a relevant qualification or experience related to the course you're applying for, you may be eligible to start at a later stage of the course. For example, students from partner colleges can ‘top up’ their qualifications to a degree by joining us in Year Two or Year Three of a course. This process is known as ‘advanced entry’, you can apply directly to the University for 'advanced entry' using the application forms provided above.

International admissions

International applicants can apply to us directly. If the University has an in-country team in your region, your application will be assigned to them for assistance.